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Plastic Products for Electrical-Grade Plastics

Electrical-Grade Plastics | Polymershapes

Industrial and electronic equipment requires heat resistance, low conductivity, and insulating properties to promote safety in the electrical industry. To promote long-term safety compliance, it's important for every material to contain all the right resistances and qualities. While metals are a vital component of many systems, they all need a stable, nonconductive material to help keep the currents under control. There is a wide selection of high-quality insulating plastics available to ensure every system runs as intended.

Electrical-grade plastics should be nonconductive so they can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications, in hazardous or non-hazardous applications. Many applications require wide temperature tolerances, corrosion and weather resistances, adequate flammability ratings, and more.

Polymershapes will work with your team to identify the ideal material for your enclosure application. Whether you need a plastic electrical box, plastic covers for electrical wires, or major components for a device, Polymershapes works with industry-leading plastics manufacturers to ensure you have the material you need.

Electrical-Grade Plastic Features and Benefits

Polymershapes is a leading distributor for a wide selection of plastic components in the electrical industry. From plastic electrical wire covers to junction boxes, it's important to ensure the insulation material you use has the necessary qualities, including:

Strong, high impact resistance
Thermoformable
Nonconductive/high dielectric strength
Static dissipative/fully conductive options may be available
Inherently good insulation
Chemical, UV, abrasion resistance
Temperature resistance
Hydrolytic stability
Low flammability and smoke generation
High creep resistance

Plastics Used in Electrical Applications

Plastics that make great electrical insulating material include:

Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA)
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Nylon (Polyamide, PA), Nylatron®
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyamide-imide (PAI)

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Operating Temperatures: -4°F - 176°F (-20°C - 80°C)

ABS plastic sheets are widely renowned for their dielectric strength, impact resistance, and chemical resistance. Its long list of resistances and qualities makes it one of the most common plastics in electrical applications. With excellent insulation, low conductivity, and shock protection, ABS has an array of uses throughout the industry. It also has a very wide operating temperature range, making it a electrical-grade plastic in an array of climates and conditions.

You'll find ABS used in plastic electrical junction boxes, indoor electrical enclosures, electrical box covers, instrument panels, shrouds, housings, casings, and more.

Nylon (Polyamide, PA)

Operating Temperatures: -70°F - 250°F (-57°C - 121°C)

Due to the conductivity of metal, many applications require plastic parts that provide the same durability while eliminating any hazards. Nylon 6, such as Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s Nylatron® , is a common solution. As a polyamide, nylon is tough and resistant to wear. With its impact resistance, moisture resistance, and durability, it is a fantastic electrical insulator. It is also highly resistant to heat and UV radiation, making it a popular solution for harsh operating environments. Nylon 6 is a cost-effective material for an array of applications, while nylon 6/6 may be used in more demanding ones.

Nylon is commonly found in cable ties, power tool housings, screws, washers, bolts, circuit board hardware, connectors in mobile devices, motherboards, and more.

Polycarbonate (PC)

Operating Temperatures: -4°F - 265°F (-20°C - 130°C)

Polycarbonate is widely revered as one of the strongest, most reliable plastics available. Polycarbonate’s excellent durability and shatter resistance make it the ideal replacement for metals, glass, and ceramics. Due to its strength, UV resistance, and chemical resistance, it can outperform ceramics and glass when under high stress. PC also contains strong flame retardant and low conductive properties. Lastly, it is great for applications that need large quantities of radiowave traffic to travel without any interference.

It is common in high-temperature applications, including plastic weatherproof electrical boxes, junction boxes, GFCI enclosures, electrical enclosures near water, wireless applications, and more.

Acrylic (Polymethyl Methacrylate, PMMA)

Operating Temperatures: -238°F - 140°F (-150°C – 60°C)

Acrylic is steadily replacing glass throughout many industries. Its insulating properties, wide operating temperature range, and protective qualities make it a common material for protecting system components. It also has among the best weatherability among clear plastics. It is commonly used in plastic electrical enclosure boxes, electrical sign fences, etc.

It is the preferred electrical-grade plastic for optical, remote-control, and applications where visual transparency is needed. It is an infrared transparent material, making it ideal for applications where vision plays a huge factor. Acrylic may be found in radar gun lenses, lighting fixtures, signage, and more.

Advanced Plastic for Extreme Electrical Applications

Polyamide-imide (PAI)

Operating Temperatures: Up to 500°F (260°C)

PAI is an imidized thermoplastic material, developed to endure extremely high temperatures and withstand some of the most demanding applications. Imidized engineering plastics are developed to withstand the harshest applications, equipped with extreme temperature resistance, improved chemical and corrosion resistance. While standard plastics may degrade under extremely harsh conditions, PAI is specifically engineered to provide reliability where performance and endurance are needed.

Of all the various types of electrical insulators, engineering plastics such as PAI provide among most reliable forms of protection. Equipped with chemical, corrosive, and temperature resistances, PAI insulated plastic sheets can provide safety and reliability under high voltage environments. PAI excels at providing effective, gears or mechanical components in electrical facilities, etc.